Disney Sets Post-Merger International Leadership

Kevin Mayer, recently appointed chairman of Disney's newly created direct-to-consumer and international division, has named his key deputies who will oversee the Disney brand abroad.

Disney has set the post-merger leadership team for its international group.

Kevin Mayer, recently appointed chairman of Disney's newly created direct-to-consumer and international division, has named his key deputies who will oversee the Disney brand abroad.

Staying in their current roles are Rebecca Campbell, president of EMEA at Disney, who will also add oversight of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States to her purview, and Diego Lerner, who serves as president of Latin America at Disney. Uday Shankar, president of 21st Century Fox Asia and chairman and CEO of Star India, will become chairman of Star and Disney India and president of the Asia Pacific region at Disney.

Longtime Disney distribution executive Janice Marinelli has also added to her role. As president of global content sales and distribution, she will oversee the integrated sales organization and lead oversight of the sales efforts for the portfolio of content and the distribution of the direct-to-consumer apps around the world.

"The planned restructuring of our business units outside of the U.S. will result in a stronger, more agile organization, one that is better able to pivot and capitalize on the many opportunities present in today’s fast-changing and increasingly complex global marketplace," Mayer said Thursday in a statement. "Once the acquisition is complete, all three regions will be led by exceptional, highly experienced executives who will combine the 'best of the best' talent from both organizations. This new structure and the outstanding leadership team we’ve put in place are clear demonstrations of our strong commitment to integrating operations and thoughtfully executing our strategic priorities around the globe."

Campbell, Lerner, Shankar and Marinelli will report to Mayer. They are also adding to their teams. Jan Koeppen, currently president of Fox Networks Group Europe and Africa, will join Campbell's group as president of television and direct to consumer for EMEA; and Marina Jigalova-Ozkan will continue to serve in her role as managing director of Russia for DTCI. Carlos Martinez, president of Fox Networks Group in Latin America, will serve as executive vp and GM of media networks for the North and Brazil regions of Disney Latin America. Current DTCI executives that will report to Shankar include Luke Kang, executive vp and managing director of China, Japan and Korea; Kylie Watson-Wheeler, managing director of Australia and New Zealand; and Chafic Najia, senior vp and managing director of Middle East.

The division is expected to announce additional executive appointments for the three regional leadership teams and the global sales group in the coming weeks.